Paris Hilton Visits Disneyland Paris
posted on October 20th, 2011 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
Look at who made a surprise visit to Disneyland Paris this week. Paris Hilton and some of her friends celebrated Halloween early at the park with Cruella De Vil, Maleficent and the Evil Queen after Disney’s Maleficious Halloween Party. During Paris’ visit, she also enjoyed a few attractions, including the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Here is another shot from our friends at Disneyland Paris.
Royal Wedding Photographer Capturing Magical Moments at Disneyland Paris
posted on August 5th, 2011 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
Earlier this week, Disneyland Paris marked a special castle milestone and today we’re thrilled to share news of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for families visiting the resort in August. Official Royal wedding photographer to Prince William and Catherine Middleton, Hugo Burnand, will soon be photographing six lucky families a day as part of the ongoing Magical Moments Festival. Hugo, who is a huge Disney fan, talks more about these exclusive photo shoots:
Families visiting Disneyland Paris between Aug. 12-15 who would like to apply for a free place can apply at www.facebook.com/disneylandparis. Successful families will be notified between Aug. 8-11.
This Week in Disney History: Disneyland Paris Marks Castle Milestone
posted on August 3rd, 2011 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
Western Europe is full of castles that astound and inspire, evoking thoughts of fairy tales and a time gone by – and Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant (Sleeping Beauty Castle) at Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris is no exception.
The castle, which was topped off in August 1991 (20 years ago this week), is a bit different than the first Sleeping Beauty Castle, built 5,659 miles away at Disneyland park in California. The French version features pink-tinted turrets, stained-glass windows and a basement cavern that is home to a dragon (La Tanière du Dragon), who awakens if you wait long enough.
Here’s a behind-the-scenes video of the topping off from Disneyland Paris.
Giant Disney Sleeping Beauty Sand Castle Created in Paris
posted on July 28th, 2011 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
For the first time, Disneyland Paris is participating in Paris Plages and we thought you’d enjoy a peek of some of the amazing work now on display, including a 16-foot sand sculpture of Sleeping Beauty Castle. If you’ve not heard, Paris Plages is a yearly summer event held in the heart of Paris where the Seine riverbanks are transformed into a giant beach.
Seven expert sculptors worked for nearly 300 hours to transform 60 tons of natural sand into our famous castle along the Seine River. Take a look at their finished work.
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Also, for the 10th edition of Paris Plages, Disneyland Paris and the Mairie de Paris social services division are holding a special day for children unable to go on vacation this summer. Paris Plages continues through August 21.
Disney Inspires Artist Sand Sculptures – Take a Virtual Tour
posted on June 24th, 2011 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
When nearly 40 of the world’s best “sand” artists gather, amazing sculptures happen. And when they’re inspired by Disney Parks, it’s a must-share on the Disney Parks Blog. For the first time, the theme of this year’s Sand Sculpture Festival in Blankenberge (Belgium) is Disneyland Paris. There are 125 sand sculptures and they’re all inspired by favorite places at Walt Disney Studios Park, Disneyland Park as well as heroes of Disney and Pixar.
At the festival, there’s a labyrinth of sand art to check out and you can do it right now from your computer with a stunning virtual tour. Go to the site and use your mouse to navigate around the Disney artwork – Tink will lead the way around sand versions of Main Street, U.S.A., to Toy Story Playland. What’s your favorite?
Take 5: Disney Parks and Resorts Abroad
posted on June 11th, 2011 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks
Ever wonder what goes on at the Disney Parks and Resorts around the world? With properties in Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong, there are plenty of fun facts and milestones to share from our international counterparts. Thinking of taking a trip to one of these locations? Stop by and see us!
Take 5: Disney Parks and Resorts Abroad
- Hong Kong Disneyland 5th Year Anniversary – Last September Hong Kong Disneyland celebrated its 5th year Anniversary. More than 2,000 families from the Hong Kong community joined over 2,000 cast members to celebrate the milestone.
- Take a Tilt-Shift Trip to Disneyland Paris – Check out this tilt-shift video, “A Magical Day at Disneyland Paris,” and see just about everything Walt Disney Studios Park and Disneyland Park has to offer.
- A View From…Tokyo Disneyland – Love Christmas time at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts? Check out some cool photos from Tokyo Disneyland’s holiday celebrations.
- This Day In Disney History: Disneyland Paris Debuts – On April 12, we shared with readers that on that day in Disney history in 1992, Disneyland Paris opened to feature 29 attractions in a layout much like Disneyland park in California.
- Disney Vacation Club opens Doors with Presence in Tokyo Disneyland – We updated readers about Tokyo Disneyland’s grand opening of its first Disney Vacation Club Model Showroom at the Ikspiari shopping and dining complex.
‘Rafa’ Celebrates Sixth French Open Trophy at Disneyland Paris
posted on June 7th, 2011 by Darrell Fry, Sports Media Director, Walt Disney World
After capturing his sixth French Open and 10th Grand Slam title, the world’s No. 1 tennis player Rafael Nadal proudly showed off the La Coupe des Mousquetaires trophy on Monday at Disneyland Paris.
During his visit, Nadal waved to fans and signed autographs while enjoying the Magical Moments Festival and his favorite Disney attractions, such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain: Mission 2, Tower of Terror and Crush’s Coaster.
Regarded as the new “King of Clay,” Nadal was once again victorious on Roland Garros’ clay courts, earning his milestone sixth French Open title, tying him with Björn Borg for most all-time.
This Day In Disney History: Disneyland Paris Debuts
posted on April 12th, 2011 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
Disneyland Paris, originally Euro Disneyland, opened its doors April 12, 1992.
Located in Marne-la-Vallee, France (just outside of Paris), the park opened to feature 29 attractions in a layout much like Disneyland park in California, with the exception of offering a Discoveryland instead of Tomorrowland.
The centerpiece of the theme park is Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant (Sleeping Beauty Castle). The 167-foot structure was inspired by the architecture of Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, as well as castle descriptions that appear in different versions of the Sleeping Beauty fairytale.
Disney’s first European park welcomed more than 11 million guests in its first year alone, and has since celebrated exciting growth over the years, including the debut of attractions like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril in 1993, Space Mountain: De la Terre a la Lune in 1995 and Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast in 2006.
Did You Know? When The Walt Disney Company was scouting spots to build its first European theme park, another location that was a top contender was Barcelona, Spain.
This Day in Disney History: Space Mountain: Mission 2 Blasts Off
posted on April 9th, 2011 by Jennifer Fickley-Baker, Social Media Manager
Space Mountain: Mission 2 debuted at Disneyland Paris in Marne-la-Vallée, France on April 9, 2005.
The attraction originally opened as Space Mountain: De la Terre a la Lune in the Discoveryland area of the park June 1, 1995. It was re-imagined in time for the attraction’s tenth anniversary in 2005, reopening as Space Mountain: Mission 2, complete with enhanced special effects and a new soundtrack.
The attraction at Disneyland Paris was the fourth of five Space Mountain attractions to open at Disney theme parks around the world. The first debuted at Magic Kingdom Park in 1975, then Disneyland in 1977, and Tokyo Disneyland in 1983. Hong Kong Disneyland has since added a Space Mountain in September 2005.
Disney Parks Releases Community Reports
posted on March 30th, 2011 by Kristin Nolt Wingard, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Public Affairs
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts recently released our 2010 Community Reports, which provide a snapshot of our corporate citizenship efforts in the communities where we operate. Whether in Hong Kong, Southern California, Central Florida, France, Hawai`i or the many ports around the world that our cruise ships visit, these reports describe a few of the many ways Disney Parks demonstrates our commitment to be a responsible employer, sound environmental steward and active community leader.
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Highlights from these reports include –
- Walt Disney World Resort contributed nearly $28 million in charitable donations to organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida and other charities and schools through the Disney Helping Kids Shine Grants.
- Disneyland Resort diverted more than 336,000 pounds (the approximate weight of 300 Autopia cars) of potential waste from landfills—that’s 44 percent more than 2009.
- In addition to reducing energy, 15 percent of Disneyland Paris’ electricity comes from renewable sources, enough to power the Eiffel Tower for approximately four years.
- Disney Cruise Line granted more than 550 wish trips to children faced with life-threatening medical conditions.
- Hong Kong Disneyland’s 5,000 Cast Members donated approximately 4,000 Disney VoluntEARS hours.
- In conjunction with The Nature Conservancy screening of the Disneynature film “Oceans,” Disney presented a $10,000 donation to the organization on behalf of Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai`i and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
The Parks and Resorts Community Reports are anchored by the 2010 Corporate Citizenship Report for The Walt Disney Company. The report highlights Disney’s progress on environmental and social impacts across the entire company.
We hope you enjoy these stories detailing our citizenship efforts in 2010, and welcome your thoughts and feedback.
